A forest awakes

I took a post Christmas walk around Rivington. It was great to breathe the fresh air heavy with rotting vegetation. Mist hung amongst the skeletal trees. The vegetation within the forest dripping steadily as the ice melted away.

I love saturated moss. It evokes a memory of a soft carpet leading to another world.

I got a great book for Christmas, 'Stickwork' by Patrick Dougherty. Patrick (with a group of helpers) makes fantastic sculptures from sapling sticks. The way he uses the sticks makes the work look like it is alive and breathing. Like Andy Goldsworthy, the pieces decompose over time and return back to the earth.

There is an interesting introduction by Jennifer Thompson which made me think about why I have used sticks in my work. I'm glad other people see their beauty too. 'There is something elemental, almost primal, in the appeal of sticks and their parents, trees; their history precedes our own, and they have been man's constant companion since the earliest days, as shelter, nourishment and fuel.' (excerpt written by Jennifer Thompson taken from Stickwork).




Twig Bowls - copyright Beverley Gee 2009.

Merry Christmas to one and all!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!

Thank you for your interest and support in my work over the past year. I hope you'll come back and visit in 2011 when new things will be afoot.

New Art Gallery opening up in Tazmania next year. It looks fantastic and you have to reach it via ferry! Check out Mona for more details.

Spot the cat?

Where is our Mabel this week?



In the box, of course!

Garstang TIC - new stockist

My work is now available from the pretty Lancashire town of Garstang. The brand new and well stocked tourist information centre is now selling a range of work by north west craft people.

Previous to this, my only knowledge of Garstang was the song about it by the band DILE. Played by Phil Beckett on the now defunct Rev.

Spot the cat?

Where could Mabel be?



Oh yes, next to the radiator, of course!

Charles don't you ever crave ....

Frank Sidebottom (as Morrissey) singing with The Smyths.

Ha ha - Johnny Marr's rebuke to Cameron.

'David Cameron, stop saying that you like The Smiths, no you don't. I forbid you to like it' on his Twitter page.

With Morrissey backing him up with . . .

'I would like to, if I may, offer support to Johnny Marr who has spoken out to the media this week against David Cameron. To those who have expressed concern over Johnny's words in view of the fact that David Cameron has pledged immense allegiance to the music of the Smiths, I would like to try to explain why I think Johnny is right not to be flattered.
It is true that music is a universal language – the ONLY universal language, and belongs to all, one way or another. However, with fitting grimness I must report that David Cameron hunts and shoots and kills stags – apparently for pleasure. It was not for such people that either "Meat is Murder" or "The Queen is Dead" were recorded; in fact, they were made as a reaction against such violence.
I recall some years ago a party political broadcast on behalf of the Conservative Party where David Cameron spoke directly to camera as an LP copy of "The Queen is Dead" proudly displayed itself on the wall behind his right shoulder. It is, of course, a fantastic thrill when the music you make is acknowledged by virtually anyone at all. But David Cameron is not just anyone. Some months ago, as the long-beaked amongst you might recall, I was due to appear on the Andrew Marr Show alongside David Cameron, and however much I worship the words of Andrew Marr, I could not go through with the invitation . . . click here to read the full condemnation on True to You Net.


Even funnier, the look of shock and outrage on Camilla and Charlie's faces as their bubble was slightly bruised by the real world.

Cameron and Charlie, we are not stupid - your Royal Wedding is a smokescreen. Do you think we'll forget everything because of an extra bank holiday? We are not as shallow as you.

Freezing temperatures

Last week, I was shocked to discover the clay pieces I had been working on had frozen! This is what frozen porcelain looks like. Urgh - not pretty at all.

Some creatures that love this weather are penguins. Check out this live webcam from Edinburgh Zoo. I like to watch this for a bit in a morning. They are so cute and funny.

Here are my own penguins investigating strange shapes in the snow. It's a 'lesser seen in cold weather Mabel' footprint!